Method and apparatus for sending stored advertising data from an internet protocol television end user network interface device

ABSTRACT

A method and system are disclosed for sending stored IPTV advertisement data from an IPTV network end user network interface device. The method includes receiving the IPTV advertisement data from an IPTV network server at the IPTV end user network interface device; storing the IPTV advertisement data in a memory of the IPTV network end user network interface device; determining at the IPTV network end user network interface device whether an IPTV subscription is active for the IPTV network end user device; and sending the advertisement data from the IPTV network device to a client device for display when the IPTV subscription is not active for the IPTV end user network interface device. The system includes a processor, memory and instruction for performing the method.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to internet protocoltelevision.

BACKGROUND

There is a great deal of competition for viewers in the new age oftelevision. The old commercial-based national networks, which are freeand generate revenues by selling broadcast advertising, are beingsupplanted by fee-based television services such as those provided bycable companies. The new television providers are subscription-based andgenerate a large part of their revenue by charging a subscription feefor their services. The subscription based television providersgenerally require a special cable connection or a wireless connectionusing a descrambler device to decode and view their television signal.Thus, unless a viewer has paid a fee to become a subscriber, the viewercannot view the subscription-based television programs.

The subscription-based television providers deliver special programmingpreviously unavailable over the older commercial-based no-fee televisionnetworks. In the past television service providers such as cablecompanies have advertised to solicit subscriptions to their cabletelevision services by numerous methods. These past methods includetelemarketing, direct mail campaigns, new move-in packages to apartmentcomplex inhabitants and even direct sales facilitated by sending outsales personnel to meet with and solicit potential subscribers to thetelevision service.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of an advertisement promotingIPTV along with other services;

FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting an illustrative embodiment of theconnection of new services for a new customer;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of an IPTV system fordelivering advertisement data to a IPTV end user interface to an IPTVsystem;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting functions performed in an illustrativeembodiment; and

FIG. 5 is an illustrative embodiment of a machine for performingfunctions disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides anadvertisement data insertion method and apparatus for receiving, storingand sending advertisement data from an IPTV system end user networkinterface to a customer's television or computer. In a particularembodiment a method for sending stored IPTV advertisement data from anIPTV network end user network interface device is disclosed. The methodincludes receiving the IPTV advertisement data from an IPTV networkserver at the IPTV end user network interface device; storing the IPTVadvertisement data in a memory of the IPTV network end user networkinterface device; determining at the IPTV network end user networkinterface device whether an IPTV subscription is active for the IPTVnetwork end user device; and sending the advertisement data from theIPTV network device to a client device for display when the IPTVsubscription is not active for the IPTV network end user networkinterface device. In another aspect of a particular embodiment theadvertisement data further includes loss of signal data. The methodfurther includes sensing whether an IPTV data signal is present from theIPTV network at the IPTV end user network interface device when the IPTVsubscription is active for the IPTV network end user network interfacedevice and sending the IPTV advertisement data to a client device fromthe IPTV end user network interface device when the IPTV data signal isnot present. In another aspect of a particular embodiment the methodfurther includes receiving a signal from the IPTV network serverindicating that the IPTV subscription is active for the IPTV end usernetwork interface device. In another aspect of a particular embodimentthe method further includes converting the stored IPTV advertisementdata to a radio frequency advertisement signal and modulating the radiofrequency advertisement signal to a predetermined frequency assigned toa particular television channel. In another aspect of a particularembodiment the method further includes converting the stored IPTVadvertisement data to a digital television signal.

In another aspect of a particular embodiment the advertisement data isselected from the group consisting of uniform resonance locator (URL)data, still image data and moving video data. In another aspect of aparticular embodiment the URL data indicates a walled garden served fromthe IPTV network server. The method further includes intercepting datafrom a client device connected to the end user network interface deviceand connecting the client device to the walled garden. In another aspectof a particular embodiment the method further includes obtaining anidentifier from a user associated with end user network interface deviceand guiding the user through an automated subscription sign-up orregistration procedure for a service selected from the group consistingof IPTV, Voice over IP and internet service. In another aspect of aparticular embodiment the advertisement data is uniform resource locator(URL) data and the IPTV network end user network interface devicedelivers the URL data through a network connection to an end user clientdevice.

In another particular embodiment a system for sending stored IPTVadvertisement data from an IPTV network end user network interfacedevice is disclosed. The system includes a processor coupled to a memoryand a computer program stored in the memory for execution by theprocessor. The computer program includes instructions to receive theIPTV advertisement data from an IPTV network server at the IPTV end usernetwork interface device, instructions to store the IPTV advertisementdata in a memory of the IPTV network end user network interface device,instructions to determine at the IPTV network end user network interfacedevice whether an IPTV subscription is active for the IPTV network enduser device and instructions to send the advertisement data from theIPTV network device to a client device for display when the IPTVsubscription is not active for the IPTV network end user networkinterface device.

In another aspect of a particular embodiment the advertisement datafurther includes loss of signal data. The computer program furtherincludes instructions to sense whether an IPTV data signal is presentfrom the IPTV network at the IPTV end user network interface device whenthe IPTV subscription is active for the IPTV network end user networkinterface device and send the IPTV data signal to a client device fromthe IPTV end user network interface device when the IPTV data signal isnot present. In another aspect of a particular embodiment the computerprogram further includes instructions to receive a signal from the IPTVnetwork server indicating that the IPTV subscription is active for theIPTV end user network interface device. In another aspect of aparticular embodiment the computer program further includes instructionsto convert the stored IPTV advertisement data to a radio frequencyadvertisement signal and instructions to modulate the radio frequencyadvertisement signal to a predetermined frequency assigned to aparticular television channel. In another aspect of a particularembodiment the computer program further includes instructions to convertthe advertising data to a digital television signal. In another aspectof a particular embodiment the particular television channel incursinsubstantial potential off air interference. In another aspect of aparticular embodiment the advertisement data is selected from the groupconsisting of uniform resonance locator (URL) data, still image data andmoving video data. In another particular embodiment sending furtherincludes sending an analog radio frequency TV signal over an analogradio frequency TV channel and sending a digital TV signal over adigital TV signal. In another particular embodiment the advertisementdata is URL data indicating a uniform resource locator (URL) and theIPTV network end user network interface device delivers the URL datathrough a network connection to a client device. In another aspect of aparticular embodiment the computer program further includes instructionsto obtain an identifier from a user associated with a client deviceassociated with the end user network interface device; and instructionsto guide the user through an automated subscription for a serviceselected from the group consisting of IPTV, Voice over IP and internetservice.

In another particular embodiment a computer readable medium containing acomputer program for sending stored IPTV advertisement data from an IPTVnetwork end user network interface device is disclosed. The computerprogram includes instructions to receive the IPTV advertisement datafrom an IPTV network server at the IPTV end user network interfacedevice, instructions to store the IPTV advertisement data in a memory ofthe IPTV network end user network interface device, instructions todetermine at the IPTV network end user network interface device whetheran IPTV subscription is active for the IPTV network end user device andinstructions to send the advertisement data from the IPTV network deviceto a client device for display when the IPTV subscription is not activefor the IPTV network end user network interface device. In anotheraspect of a particular embodiment the advertisement data furtherincludes loss of signal data, the computer program further includinginstructions to sense whether an IPTV data signal is present from theIPTV network at the IPTV end user network interface device when the IPTVsubscription is active for the IPTV network end user network interfacedevice and instructions to send the IPTV advertisement data to a clientdevice from the IPTV end user network interface device when the IPTVdata signal is not present. In another aspect of a particular embodimentthe computer program further includes instructions to receive a signalfrom the IPTV network server indicating that the IPTV subscription isactive for the IPTV end user network interface device. In another aspectof a particular embodiment the assigned channel incurs insubstantialpotential off air interference. In another aspect of a particularembodiment the advertisement data is selected from the group consistinguniform resonance locator (URL) data, still image data and moving videodata. In another aspect of a particular embodiment the instructions tosend further include instructions to send an analog TV signal over ananalog TV channel and instructions to send a digital TV signal over adigital TV signal. In another aspect of a particular embodiment theadvertisement data further includes URL data and the IPTV network enduser network interface device delivers the URL data through a networkconnection to a client device.

In a particular illustrative embodiment, the IPTV end user interface isan intelligent network interface device (INID) that defaults to send theadvertising data in analog and digital format over radio frequencyselected channels, e.g., channels 3 and 3.1. The advertising data issent from the INID to the residence over the in-house coaxial cable ornetwork connections for display on home television sets. Thus, when anew potential IPTV customer moves into a home having an existing INIDand connects their television to the home coaxial cable connected to theINID, picture data or video data will appear on at least a single analogor digital channel over the coaxial cable. In the illustrativeembodiment, the channels selected for this advertising are channels thathave insubstantial potential off-air interference, for example, NationalTelevision Standards Committee (NTSC) channels 3 and Advanced TelevisionSystems Committee (ATSC) 3.1 or as set by a marketing agreement.

The default advertisement data is stored in memory in an IPTV networkend user network interface device. In an illustrative embodiment theINID is used as the end user interface to the IPTV network. When aformer IPTV network subscriber associated with an INID discontinuestheir IPTV service, the stored advertisement data at the INID isactivated on an assigned television channel. The stored advertisementdata can be activated and sent from the INID to a client device in thehome by a switching signal from the IPTV service provider (SP) via andIPTV server, indicating that the IPTV subscription has beendiscontinued. The stored advertisement data can also be activated andsent automatically from the INID to a client device when a loss of theIPTV network signal is detected at the INID. Different advertisementdata can be displayed depending on whether the IPTV signal is merelylost temporarily during an IPTV subscription (“temporary signal loss”message) or when the IPTV subscription has been discontinued (“sign upto purchase IPTV subscription” message).

If an IPTV customer moves out and discontinues IPTV service, the IPTVcustomer leaves the coax connected to the INID, the new potential IPTVcustomer would then connect their TV to the housing coax and would see astored video or picture advertisement data sent from the INID promotingIPTV along with other services such as Voice over IP (VoIP) and internetservices. If the subscriber terminates IPTV service and switches toanother video provider, the new video provider usually disconnects thehousing coax entering the house from the IPTV INID and connects thehousing coax to the new service provider's video data feed, thuspreventing the stored IPTV advertisement from being viewed on a displayfrom the data presented on coax entering the house.

The received and stored advertisement data can be in the form of datarepresenting a single picture requiring relatively low memory displayinga number to call for IPTV services or the advertisement data could be afull motion video clip requiring more memory that displays full motionhigh quality advertisement data in standard definition or highdefinition for IPTV services. The advertisement data can be downloadedfrom the IPTV network server and/or stored in a nonvolatile read onlymemory (ROM).

In another particular embodiment, in addition to the TV video displaythe INID advertising data can also be delivered through existing Cat 5RJ45 connections already installed in the home. In an illustrativeembodiment, the INID sends the same video data, URL data, or picturedata over coax (hpna) and network connection, e.g., Ethernet, signalingto any home personal computer or wireless device that was connectedbefore actual IPTV service is installed. This Ethernet signal providesthe video advertisement data and/or instructions data on how to orderIPTV services from an IPTV SP advertised from the stored INID data.

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) describes a system where a digitaltelevision service is delivered using the Internet Protocol over anetwork infrastructure, which may include delivery by a broadbandconnection. For residential users, this type of service is oftenprovided in conjunction with Video on Demand and may be part of combinedInternet services such as Web access and VoIP, where it may then becalled Triple Play, and is typically supplied by a broadband operatorusing a single infrastructure. In addition to the three services ifvoice, video and data, mobile service is also offered, it is called aQuad Play. In businesses IPTV may be used to deliver television contentover corporate LAN's and business networks. Perhaps a simpler definitionof IPTV would be television content that, instead of being deliveredthrough traditional formats and cabling, is received by the viewerthrough the technologies used for computer networks.

IPTV video data is encoded in MPEG-4 format. MPEG-4 is an ISO/IECstandard developed by MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group). MPEG-4 is theresult of another international effort involving hundreds of researchersand engineers from all over the world. MPEG-4, with formal as itsISO/IEC designation ‘ISO/IEC 14496’, was finalized in October 1998 andbecame an International Standard in the first months of 1999. The fullybackward compatible extensions under the title of MPEG-4 Version 2 werefrozen at the end of 1999, to acquire the formal International StandardStatus early in 2000. Several extensions were added since and work onsome specific work-items work is still in progress. MPEG-4 builds on theproven success of three fields: Digital television; Interactive graphicsapplications (synthetic content); and Interactive multimedia (World WideWeb, distribution of and access to content).

The term set-top box (STB) describes a device that connects to atelevision and some external source of signal, and turns the signal intocontent then displayed on the screen. The signal source might be anEthernet cable, a satellite dish, a coaxial cable, a telephone line(including DSL connections), or even an ordinary VHF or UHF antenna.Content, in this context, could mean any or all of video, audio,Internet web pages, interactive games, or other possibilities. A set-topbox does not necessarily contain a tuner of its own.

Ethernet is a large and diverse family of frame-based computernetworking technologies for local area networks (LANs). The name comesfrom the physical concept of the ether. It defines a number of wiringand signaling standards for the physical layer, two means of networkaccess at the Media Access Control (MAC)/data link layer, and a commonaddressing format. Ethernet has been standardized as IEEE 802.3. Itsstar-topology, twisted pair wiring form became the most widespread LANtechnology in use from the 1990s to the present, largely replacingcompeting LAN standards such as coaxial cable Ethernet, token ring,FDDI, and ARCNET. In recent years, WiFi, the wireless LAN standardizedby IEEE 802.11, has been used in addition to or instead of Ethernet inmany installations.

FIG. 1 depicts a display of advertising data promoting IPTV along withother services. The advertising data can be a single picture, video or aURL displayed on a television or computer display. The defaultadvertisement data is stored in memory in the IPTV end user networkinterface device, for example, an INID. When a current IPTV subscriberterminates their IPTV service from the IPTV network this stored TVadvertisement data is activated on the assigned channels. If thecustomer were switching to another video provider, the new providerwould take over the coax preventing the advertisement data from beingdisplayed. If the subscriber moves out, the new potential IPTVsubscriber would then connect their TV to the home coax or networkconnection and would see and hear video or picture and audio or a URLadvertisement data promoting IPTV along with other services.

Turning now to FIG. 2, in an illustrative embodiment an IPTV network 201server sends advertisement data including but not limited to URL data,video data or picture data to the INID 202. The advertisement data canalso be supplied from read only memory (ROM) 216. The INID 202 storesthe received advertisement data in memory 211. When an IPTV subscriptionis not active for a particular INID or an IPTV signal temporarily islost at the particular INID, the INID 202 converts the picture data orvideo data to selected channel frequencies (for example, channels 3 and3.1) using modulators 204 (one for ATSC and one for NTSC). The INIDincludes a processor 130 coupled to a memory 132 and a database storedin the memory 134. In an illustrative embodiment channel 3 is used foranalog data and channel 3.1 used for digital data.

Modulators 204 are internet protocol to analog and digital converterswhich convert the incoming IPTV advertisement data signal to analog anddigital TV signals suitable for display on analog TV channel 3 anddigital TV channel 3.1 of an analog and digital television,respectively. The modulators 204 feed the signal to coax splitter 206 inthe home which feeds the televisions inside of the residence. Coax inthe home 208 connects to individual television sets 213 inside the home210. When a customer connects the television to the loose coax 208 inthe home the customer will view on channel 3 or 3.1 as selected by theINID modulator an advertisement video displaying a still picture or amotion video picture of the data supplied by the IPTV network. The IPTVnetwork advertisement data will advertise IPTV services and also providecontact information for ordering the IPTV services.

When an IPTV subscription is active for the INID and there is notemporary loss of IPTV data signal from the IPTV network, the INIDretransmits the IPTV signal as received from the IPTV network server tothe coax splitter 206 at the residence. The IPTV network SP sends amessage to the INID to indicate when a subscription for the INID hasbeen terminated or when a temporary loss of signal at the INID isincurred. The INID may also sense a loss of incoming IPTV signal fromthe IPTV network and retrieve the default advertising data stored in theINID memory, modulate the data and send the modulated data as an analogand digital signals over the housing coax over channels 3 and 3.1respectively.

The advertisement data can be sent over wireless, 802.11x, etc. or thehousing coax using any acceptable format including but not limited to,HPNA Home Phone Line Networking Alliance (over coax & twisted pair) andMoCA (over coax only). The Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA® forshort) has been formed as a non-profit mutual benefit corporation todevelop and promote specifications for the transport of digitalentertainment and information content over in-home coaxial cable. Thegoal of MoCA is to create specifications and certify products that willtap into the vast amounts of unused bandwidth available on the in-homecoax without the need for new connections, wiring, and point of entrydevices or truck rolls. It is anticipated that the first MoCA enabledproducts will be released within the next year.

More than 70% of homes in the United States have coax already installedinto the home infrastructure. Many have existing coax in one or moreprimary entertainment consumption locations such as family rooms, mediarooms and master bedrooms—ideal for deploying networks. MoCA technologyallows homeowners to utilize this infrastructure as a networking systemand to deliver other entertainment and information programming with highQoS.

The technology underlying MoCA provides the vital elements necessary todistribute DVD quality entertainment throughout the home—high speed (270mbps), high quality of service (QoS), and the innate security of ashielded, wired connection combined with state of the art packet-levelencryption. Coax is designed for carrying high bandwidth video. Today,it is regularly used to securely deliver millions of dollars of pay perview and premium video content on a daily basis. The MoCA network alsocan also be used as a backbone for multiple wireless access points usedto extend the reach of wireless throughout a consumer's entire home.

As shown in FIG. 3 in the IPTV network contains a multiplicity ofservers/processors located at a super head end (SHO) 302, a video headend (VHO) 304, a central office (CO) 306, and an intermediate office(IO) 308 which in a hierarchal manner from the SHO down to the IOprovide video data to IPTV subscribers such as the residence 210. EachSHO, VHO, CO and IO include a server/processor 330 coupled to a memory332 and a database 334 in memory 332. The INID receives message datafrom the IPTV network indicating whether an INID has an associatedactive IPTV subscription and stores the message data in memory. The INIDalso includes a signal loss detection circuit 205 to determine whetherthe IPTV data signal from the IPTV network is lost or present. The IPTVnetwork provides an IPTV data signal including the default advertisementdata for storage in an INID 202 memory 211 adjacent the residence 210.As described in FIG. 2 the INID provides video data or picture data to acoax splitter 206 in the home which distributes the signal over the coaxwiring throughout the home 208. When a set top box (STB) 212 isconnected to the INID the IPTV signal is provided for all channels andthe STB provides all channels to the coax wiring inside the home. TheIPTV network can update the advertisement data at will so that even ifthe residence is unoccupied and no subscriber present the latestadvertisement data can be sent to the INID for display when the nextresident moves in to residence 210.

In another particular embodiment the INID redirects traffic to thedesignated URL containing the banner advertising when a potentialsubscriber accesses the residential network connected to the INID. TheINID includes an IP server which supplies the URL for the computersconnecting to the INID via wireless, Ethernet, HPNA, or MoCA. This INIDIP server intercepts any attempt (for example, by monitoring port 80traffic from the client computer) to log onto the Internet and can bedesigned to redirect the user to the URL being generated in the INIDwith the video. Another URL, which may be accessible and served from anIPTV network server, but in an illustrative embodiment is served from anIO sever. The URL serves as a “walled garden” of advertising data whichcan include but is not limited to video advertising data, and pictures.The walled garden URL includes but is not limited to video movies andprogramming that may be provided as free introductory offers such asfree movies to a potential subscriber connected to the INID. The walledgarden URL does not allow access to the rest of the Internet beyond thewalled garden.

In another illustrative embodiment the walled garden requests anidentifier from a user associated with the client device, e.g., an STBconnected to the INID. The identifier includes but is not limited to aphone number or email address from the user associated with the INID.The user's identity can be derived from the email address or the phonenumber and provided as a quick sign-in and registration screen topopulate a subscription registration screen with name, address, andpersonal information for a user/potential subscriber. The potentialuser/potential subscriber is offered services (IPTV, VoIP or internetservices) for which they have not already subscribed. For example if apotential subscriber has Voice over IP (VoIP) service associated withthe INID the walled garden can offer the Voice over IP subscriber IPTVservice and internet service. If the potential subscriber associatedwith the INID has internet service the potential subscriber can beoffered IPTV service and Voice over IP service.

As shown in FIG. 4, in an illustrative embodiment the IPTV network enduser network interface device receives the advertisement data from anIPTV network server and stores the data in memory at block 401. At block402 the end user network interface device determines whether or not thesubscription associated with the end user network interface device isactive. If the subscription is not active the IPTV network end usernetwork interface device (e.g., the INID) loads advertisement data frommemory 130 or from ROM 216 for the purchase of IPTV subscription as theadvertising data at block 404. The end user network interface devicethen sends the loaded advertisement data to the client device at block412. If at block 402 the subscription is active then the end usernetwork interface device determines at block 406 whether the IPTV datasignal is lost or present. If the IPTV data signal is lost the end usernetwork interface device proceeds to block 408 and loads the temporaryoutage data from memory or ROM as the advertising data. The end usernetwork interface device then proceeds to block 412 and sends the loadedadvertising data to the client device. If the end user network interfacedevice determines that the IPTV data signal is present and asubscription is active the end user network interface device proceeds toblock 410 and sends the received IPTV data signal to the client device.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system 500 within which a set of instructions, when executed,may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein. In some embodiments, the machine operates as astandalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected(e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networked deployment,the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client usermachine in server-client user network environment, or as a peer machinein a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine maycomprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer(PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA), a cellular telephone, a mobile device, a palmtop computer, alaptop computer, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant, acommunications device, a wireless telephone, a land-line telephone, acontrol system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimile machine, a printer, apager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, a network router,switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be takenby that machine. It will be understood that a device of the presentinvention includes broadly any electronic device that provides voice,video or data communication. Further, while a single machine isillustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include anycollection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (ormultiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 500 may include a processor 502 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both), amain memory 504 and a static memory 506, which communicate with eachother via a bus 508. The computer system 500 may further include a videodisplay unit 510 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system500 may include an input device 512 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 514 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 516, a signal generationdevice 518 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 520.

The disk drive unit 516 may include a machine-readable medium 522 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 524)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated in herein above. Theinstructions 524 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 504, the static memory 506, and/or within theprocessor 502 during execution thereof by the computer system 500. Themain memory 504 and the processor 502 also may constitutemachine-readable media. Dedicated hardware implementations including,but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits,programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. Applications thatmay include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadlyinclude a variety of electronic and computer systems. Some embodimentsimplement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardwaremodules or devices with related control and data signals communicatedbetween and through the modules, or as portions of anapplication-specific integrated circuit. Thus, the example system isapplicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present invention contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 524, or that which receives and executes instructions 524from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 526 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 526 using the instructions 524. Theinstructions 524 may further be transmitted or received over a network526 via the network interface device 520.

While the machine-readable medium 522 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present invention. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to:solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that housesone or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories,or other re-writable (volatile) memories; magneto-optical or opticalmedium such as a disk or tape; and carrier wave signals such as a signalembodying computer instructions in a transmission medium; and/or adigital file attachment to e-mail or other self-contained informationarchive or set of archives is considered a distribution mediumequivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the invention isconsidered to include any one or more of a machine-readable medium or adistribution medium, as listed herein and including art-recognizedequivalents and successor media, in which the software implementationsherein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the invention is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, and HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

In another illustrative embodiment a user can select a video or audiostream to be sent to an external audio or video device outside of thehome via the IPTV network. In another illustrative embodiment a user canreceive a video or audio from the house from a remote receiver or IPdevice and/or establish video or audio communication between the remotelocation and the audio and/or video devices in the home. In anotherillustrative embodiment motion detection on a camera sends alert to anSTB of viewers with who a viewer wishes to communicate, alternativelyemail/SMS to additional device. In another illustrative embodiment, withmanagement of available viewers at STBs and a buddy list to set up videosessions or audio with friends and neighbors. In another illustrativeembodiment peer to peer video distribution “live broadcast” is provided.

In another illustrative embodiment a method for monitoring home remotelyor controlling appliances in home via IPTV interface/portal is provided.Technologies to use are Zigbee, XIO, or RF remotes.

In another illustrative embodiment, IP-TV user interface is provided forthat contains easy wizards to (1) identify Zigbee and RFID supporteddevices dynamically and incorporate functionality into the controlinterface, (2) let user set up X10 control codes for various appliancesbased on what she has configured in her home, (3) include smart remotecapability to let user define other audio and/or video equipment in thehome and where it is, so RF can be used to control other devices (and inthis case the “closest” STB could be used to transfer the RF signals ifit is with the other audio and/or video equipment to be controlled).

It should be noted that while an illustrative embodiment of this videodistribution architecture can utilize a FTTN or FTTP broadband networkfor IPTV delivery, it could similarly be implemented to work onalternative access networks including digital cable networks, satellitetelevision systems, terrestrial wireless delivery networks (e.g. WiMAX)as bandwidth improves, or even 3G and 4G wireless networks usingwireless handsets as the video authoring station.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived there from, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory computer readable mediumcontaining a computer program comprising instructions that when executedby a computer help to perform functions for sending stored Internetprotocol television (IPTV) advertisement data from an IPTV network enduser network interface device, the computer program comprising:instructions to continuously provide from a local offline storage, priorto an end user device connecting to an online destination, preexistingdefault advertisement data from read only memory in the end user networkinterface device to the home network for display to any end user device;instructions to intercept data from the end user device connected to theend user network interface device before the data reaches a destinationintended by an end user associated with the end user device;instructions to determine at the end user network interface devicewhether an IPTV subscription is active for the end user network device;instructions to send the advertisement data from the IPTV network deviceto the end user device for display when the IPTV subscription is notactive for the network interface device; and instructions to connect theclient device to a walled garden indicated by a uniform resource in theadvertisement data.
 2. The medium of claim 1, wherein the advertisementdata further comprises loss of signal data, the computer program furthercomprising: instructions to sense whether an IPTV data signal is presentfrom the IPTV network at the IPTV end user network interface device whenthe IPTV subscription is active for the IPTV network end user networkinterface device and sending the IPTV advertisement data to a clientdevice from the IPTV end user network interface device when the IPTVsubscription is not active; and instructions to continuously provide thedefault advertisement data over a radio frequency television channelfrom the end user network interface device for display by any end userdevice in a residence associated with the home network.
 3. The medium ofclaim 1, the computer program further comprising: instructions toreceive a signal from the IPTV network server indicating that the IPTVsubscription is active for the IPTV end user network interface device.4. The medium of claim 1, the computer program further comprising:instructions to convert the stored IPTV advertisement data to a radiofrequency advertisement signal; and instructions to modulate the radiofrequency advertisement signal to a predetermined frequency assigned toa particular television channel.
 5. The medium of claim 1, the computerprogram further comprising: instructions to convert the stored IPTVadvertisement data to a digital television signal.
 6. The medium ofclaim 1, wherein the advertisement data is selected from the groupconsisting of uniform resonance locator (URL) data, still image data andmoving video data.
 7. The medium of claim 1, further comprising:obtaining an identifier from a user associated with end user networkinterface device; and guiding the user through an automated subscriptionregistration for a service selected from the group consisting of IPTV,Voice over IP and internet service.
 8. The method according to claim 1,wherein the advertisement data is uniform resource locator (URL) dataand the IPTV network end user network interface device delivers the URLdata through a network connection to an end user client device.
 9. Asystem comprising: A processor in data communication with a tangiblenon-transitory computer readable medium; and a computer programcomprising instructions stored in the computer readable medium, thatwhen executed by a computer help to perform a method for sending storedInternet protocol television (IPTV) advertisement data from an IPTVnetwork end user network interface device, the computer programcomprising: instructions to continuously provide from a local offlinestorage, prior to an end user device connecting to an onlinedestination, preexisting default advertisement data from read onlymemory in the end user network interface device to the home network fordisplay to any end user device; instructions to intercept data from aclient device connected to the end user network interface device beforethe data reaches a destination intended by an end user associated withthe end user device; instructions to determine at the end user networkinterface device whether an IPTV subscription is active for the end usernetwork device; and instructions to send the advertisement data from theIPTV network device to the end user device for display when the IPTVsubscription is not active for the network interface device; andinstructions to connect the client device to the walled garden.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the advertisement data further comprises lossof signal data, the computer program further comprising: instructions tosense whether an IPTV data signal is present from the IPTV network atthe IPTV end user network interface device when the IPTV subscription isactive for the IPTV network end user network interface device andsending the IPTV advertisement data to a client device from the IPTV enduser network interface device when the IPTV subscription is not active;and instructions to continuously provide the default advertisement dataover a radio frequency television channel from the end user networkinterface device for display by any end user device in a residenceassociated with the home network.
 11. The system of claim 10, thecomputer program further comprising: instructions to receive a signalfrom the IPTV network server indicating that the IPTV subscription isactive for the IPTV end user network interface device.
 12. The system ofclaim 10, the computer program further comprising: instructions toconvert the stored IPTV advertisement data to a radio frequencyadvertisement signal; and instructions to modulate the radio frequencyadvertisement signal to a predetermined frequency assigned to aparticular television channel.
 13. The system of claim 10, the computerprogram further comprising: instructions to convert the stored IPTVadvertisement data to a digital television signal.
 14. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the advertisement data is selected from the groupconsisting of uniform resonance locator (URL) data, still image data andmoving video data.
 15. The system of claim 10, the computer programfurther comprising: instructions to obtain an identifier from a userassociated with end user network interface device; and instructions toguide the user through an automated subscription registration for aservice selected from the group consisting of IPTV, Voice over IP andinternet service.